Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

THE bestselling four-color book/multimedia package in the field, this introduction to criminal justice provides a realistic description of the American criminal justice system and how it works—police, courts, and corrections. Using a three-pronged thematic approach, it provides an intricately woven picture of contemporary American criminal justice, assumes a forward-looking perspective that recognizes the importance of individual rights, social order, multiculturalism, and high-technology as they affect the day-to-day practice of criminal justice, and gives serious emphasis to terrorism as a crime. Incorporates the most authoritative, reliable, and current information, statistics, and court cases, and provides citations to online criminal justice mega-sources that are constantly updated. Features a variety of issues-oriented, career, and “the future” boxes throughout. An accompanying simulations CD features real-life scenarios based on actual U.S. Supreme Court cases that enable readers to put themselves in the role(s) of police officer, judge, probation officer, legislator, and corrections official. What Is Criminal Justice? The Crime Picture. The Search for Causes. Criminal Law. Policing: History and Structure. Police Management. Policing: Legal Aspects. The Courts. The Courtroom Work Group and the Criminal Trial. Sentencing. Probation, Parole, and Community Corrections. Prisons and Jails. Prison Life. Juvenile Justice. Drugs and Crime. Multinational Criminal Justice. The Future of Criminal Justice. For those in law enforcement, the court system, corrections, juvenile delinquency, probation, parole, and private security. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

This book was written in order to make the study of criminal justice interesting for students. Each chapter catches the students' attention by featuring a real life story which thrusts the student into the concepts contained in the text. The up-to-date material meshed with visual aids insures a complete understanding of the criminal justice system today. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 785 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 5 edition (May 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0138482500
• ISBN-13: 978-0138482503
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,760,838 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Criminal Justice., January 7, 2000

By	Michel Mirabal (Miami, Florida, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This is the best book I have read on Criminal Justice. It is fun to read and easy to enjoy. I advise anybody that is interested on the field of criminal justice to begin with this book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION, December 15, 2003

By	Aaron A. Daley "citnrotc" (CHARLESTON, SC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (Hardcover)

Relatively up to date (September 11 and law enforcement reactions, USA PATRIOT Act, etc.), and very informative, this textbook provides an excellent survey of the Criminal Justice System. The prose is streamlined, clear, and somewhat non-biased. Minor corrections may need to be made (e.g. the textbook states that the majority of female sexual assault victims do not know their attacker. . .), but these flaws are minor for a textbook of this scope. The book is extensively source documented, making it perfect for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the Criminal Justice System. The CD-ROM and online tools are comprehensive, and give the reader/student a more intimate view of the author's vision.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Finest Texts on the Subject. , March 16, 2008

By	Jeffrey Peter A. Hauck "Guerrilla Reader" (Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (9th Edition) (Hardcover)

I just started teaching a new criminal justice survey course where this text is required for the students. After reading it I have to say it is one of the best course-books on the subject that I have read or taught from.

Comprehensive at 750+ pages including many full color plates and an interactive CD-ROM. Topics include everything conventional (civics, criminal law & criminal procedure) as well as many current event criminal justice concepts including law enforcement cultural approaches to alternative religions like Santeria, the arrest of celebrities such as Courtney Love, and even distinguishing placement in the criminal justice hierarchy for "bounty hunters" such as Duane "Dog" Chapman.

I love it! Informative and instructional. Again, one of the best. Five stars.